Travel Insurance for Arrhythmia

What is an arrhythmia?

An arrhythmia is a problem with the rate or rhythm of your heartbeat. The heart might beat too fast, too slow or irregularly, and you may feel palpitations, a fluttering or pounding in the chest, dizziness, breathlessness or occasionally faint. Some arrhythmias are harmless and come and go - others need ongoing treatment. They’re a large group within the heart conditions we screen for.

The most common type is atrial fibrillation. Others include supraventricular tachycardia, heart block, and ventricular arrhythmias. Treatment ranges from medicines that control the rate or rhythm, to procedures like ablation, or internal devices like pacemakers or ICDs. For a wider overview, see the NHS arrhythmia page.

Why do I need to declare an arrhythmia for travel insurance?

Any diagnosed heart rhythm problem is a pre-existing medical condition. We ask because an arrhythmia can cause dizziness, fainting or a fast heartbeat that needs treating in hospital, and some types carry a risk of more serious complications. Dehydration, heat and long journeys can occasionally trigger episodes.

Without the arrhythmia on your policy, a claim linked to your heart could be turned down or cut.

You won’t need to declare every medical condition you’ve ever had or been diagnosed with, only those that fall into the initial set of medical questions.

Can I get travel insurance with an arrhythmia?

Usually you can. The type of arrhythmia makes a difference to what’s offered. Recent episodes needing hospital care, fainting, a device being fitted recently, or waiting for an ablation or other procedure are the situations most likely to limit cover.

What we’ll ask about your arrhythmia

It only takes a few minutes to get through the online medical screening. The questions about your arrhythmia focus on the medication you take and whether you’ve had an ablation or device fitted. Once that’s done, carry on declaring any other relevant pre-existing medical conditions.

Once everything is declared, you’ll reach the quote page. If cover is available for your arrhythmia and your other conditions, you’ll see a choice of quotes, each with the cost of your medical cover included in the premium. Should we be unable to cover you, you’ll know before proceeding.

If your health changes before travelling

Heart rhythm problems can change. If, before your trip, your medication changes, you’re admitted to hospital, you’re referred for an ablation or further tests, or you’re diagnosed with something new, you must let us know. Your cover might need another look, your medical situation may have to go to the underwriters, and in some cases we may not be able to continue with cover. A future claim can be affected or denied if a change in your medical isn’t reported.

What can arrhythmia travel insurance cover?

Once your arrhythmia is accepted, an episode abroad is treated like any other medical emergency. If you develop a fast, irregular heartbeat in Portugal and need to be treated in hospital, emergency medical costs can be covered, and repatriation can be too if you need medical help getting home. All cover is subject to the policy terms, exclusions, limits and excess.

If your rhythm problem worsens before you go and your doctor advises against travelling, you may be able to claim non-refundable costs through cancellation cover.

The policy won’t pay for routine device checks or planned treatment overseas, or claims relating to undeclared conditions.

Will an arrhythmia affect the cost of travel insurance?

An arrhythmia might add to the cost. The answer comes from our online medical screening, which is likely to ask how your heart rhythm is treated and how well it’s been controlled lately. On top of that, the usual things such as age, destination and trip length shape the quote. You can see exactly what you’d pay before going ahead.

Single trip or annual cover with an arrhythmia

Single trip cover is often enough for one holiday. Regular travellers may prefer annual multi-trip cover, which is available depending on your screening result.

Travelling with an arrhythmia: practical tips

Here are some general pointers. They aren’t part of what your policy covers.

If you have a pacemaker or ICD, show your device card at airport security. Walk-through scanners are generally considered safe for most devices, but you shouldn’t linger in them, and you can ask for a hand search instead. Keep the card on you throughout the trip.

Know your triggers. Alcohol, caffeine, dehydration, poor sleep and jet lag can set off palpitations for some people, and holidays tend to involve all of them. Keep drinking water on the flight, take it steady with alcohol and try to adjust to the new time zone gradually.

Timing of tablets matters for rate and rhythm medicines and blood thinners. Ask your pharmacist how to shift your doses across time zones, and pack enough for delays. The travelling abroad with medication guide has more detail.

Scuba diving and some high-exertion sports may not be suitable with certain arrhythmias or devices. If you’re planning anything adventurous, check with your cardiologist first, and make sure the activity is included in your policy.

Write down what’s normal for you, including your usual heart rate and any ECG copies you have. A doctor abroad will find that useful.

How to get a quote

Start with your trip details, then work through the screening for your arrhythmia and any other conditions before choosing your cover.

Get a Quote

Other Useful Heart Pages

• Angina Travel Insurance
• Aortic Valve Disease Travel Insurance
• Arrhythmia Travel Insurance
• Atrial Fibrillation Travel Insurance
• Cardiomyopathy Travel Insurance
• Congenital Heart Disease Travel Insurance
• Coronary Heart Disease Travel Insurance
• Endocarditis Travel Insurance
• Heart Attack Travel Insurance
• Heart Conditions Travel Insurance
• Heart Failure Travel Insurance
• Heart Valve Disease Travel Insurance
• Pericarditis Travel Insurance
• Supraventricular Tachycardia Travel Insurance

Don't worry if your condition is not listed above - we cover plenty more medical conditions.
* Please note that cover will vary depending on individual medical screenings.